Vidres A La Sang - Virtut Del Desencis

Vidres A La Sang is a black metal band from Spain who formed in 2002.  Their latest album, “Virtut Del Desencis” is their sixth full-length album.

“Virtut Del Desencis” is a strikingly well written album!   This is an amazingly unique extreme metal album that mixes it up ways few bands I’ve heard this year have.  Although black, and even death metal are definitely the basis of their core sound, they really can’t be pigeon holed into any one style.    In essence, this album is versatile and dynamic; it kept me guessing where it was going to go from one song to the next.

WIth that’ being said, it doesn’t sound too out there or disjointed.  Despite the myriad sounds presented across its 6 song, nearly 45 runtime, it always feels cohesive with expertly managed flow.  45 minutes isn’t too much to ask for six songs—in fact, it will actually be a lot longer because they are so damn good, you’ll want to hear them again and again. 

The production and mix are both fantastic.  Every detail, everything that pours out from its many nooks and crannies, can be heard without having to strain the ears.  The overall sound of the album feels very “live” to me and the tone of each instrument is crisp and biting.  In essence, this is an unconventional album but with songs that are so well crafted that it never seems overdone or pretentious. 

According to the band’s press release the album’s title means ‘vritue of disenchantment,” which is that state of the soul where the last moments of lucidty swell just before surredering to the total absence of any hope.That is complicated stuff to digest for sure and it requires music that steps outside the box to explain in; the music across the album certainly matches the depth of the lyrics.  

There isn’t a bad song among the six so I will hit up a few of my favorite moments across the album.  

The album opens with “Màrtirs,” and it’s ambient beginning that builds the song up with soft, warm tones.  As it grows, it sounds vaguely funereal just before the bands explodes into rapid drums and psychosis induced riffs, with the lead guitar providing much of the atmosphere.  The vocals are blackened growls that meld with the song structures, every piece flowing togther as one.  The clean vocals later are a welcomed addtion and fit perfectly into the controlled chaos.  My favorite part is the solo and the riff jam session that arrives afterwards—hammering and hypnotic!

The beginning riffs of “Sempre és incert,” feel sort of off kilter and topsy-turvy, as if the song is a crumbling structure that’s barely hanging on.  Everything breaks off into clean instruments and whsipered vocals, with the lead guitar providing short but sweet solos that pierce through the veil.  The buildup of the song is amazing–the layers build up with each passing second, this crumblng structure regaining a foundation as the song moves towards the four minute mark when the band embraces its black metal roots and goes for a gut punch.  

“L'elegia dels innocents,” begins with unquie, almost alien, soundscapes.  In the background, the guitars and bass work on building their own math and it all melds together before the one minute mark.  There is a meloncholic feel to the song that contrasts against vicious vocals, which are barked out in a suprisingly catchy cadence. The gallopoing riffs and melodic tinges on the bass keep the song both heavy and expansive.  The solo in the later half is killer and the rhythm goes for broke.

At this point in the album, it’s clear that every song is going to offern plenty of wow moments. “Capricis de l'atzar,” marks the halfway point and changes things up with a long, clean intro.  It’s a miminalistic approach that does a lot with less.  It’s very clever but also serves the purposes of building up tension.  The song eventually settles into a slow groove and the whole band acts as one moving part. It’s kind of doomy and unrelenting but in a subtle way.  The quiet tones make another apprearnce just before the band opens the floodgates, with the drumming steering the song into frenzied waters.

This song really shows how well the band is able to write extreme songs without sounding extreme, heavy without doing in an convential way.  It’s a brave approach that a lot of bands can’t pull off and requries a level of confidence that’s hard to reach.  Well, Vidres A La Sang reach it and live on it, thriving and growing with each passing minute.

“Records a l'oblit,” is quite a bit more intense than the previos two tracks, offering a late stage visceral attack to help break up any motony (although this album has none).  The drums are a battery ram and the bass exists in the spaces between, filling the gaps for a full sound.  The guitars are clean and intricate in parts, a different approach to extremity. The middle part of the song is catchy, especially the riffs.  I like the melodic solo, possibly the best on the album.

The final song, “Llàgrimes de sang,” ends the album on a haunting note.  The opening tones are somber and ghostly.  The guitars are echoes on the wind but the vocals tell of a storm on the horizon.  The first half of the song creeps in, slowly unfurling its tendrils.  Around the 4:18 mark, the beast those tendrils belong to reveal themselves and the darkness begins to march forward, ever approaching and unescapble.

Vidres A La Sang have released one hell of an album with “Virtut Del Desencis.”  This album has a lot of depth and detail—people who don’t even like extreme metal will find something of merit within its wall. If you’re a fan of metal that makes you think, that offers more than just nonstop bludgeoning, this needs to be on your radar.  A stunning acomplishment.